THOMAS OF Reading OR The sixe worthy yeomen of the West Now the fourth time corrected and enlarged By T. D. Printed at London for T. P. 1612. ¶ The pleasant Historie of the six worthie Yeomen of the West IN the dayes of King Henry the first who was the first king that instituted the high court of Parliament there liued nine men which for the trade of Clothing were famous throughout all England Which Art in those dais was held in high reputation both in respect of the great riches that therby was gotten as also of the benefite it brought to the whole Common wealth the yonger sons of knights and gentlemen to whom their fathers would leaue no lands were most commonly preferred to learne this trade to the end that therby they might liâ—e in good estate driâ—e forth their daies in prosperity Among all Crafts this was the only chiefe for that it was the greatest marchandize by the which our Countrey became famous through all Nations And it was verily thought that the one haâ—â—e of the people in the landliâ—ed in those daies therby and in such good sort that in the Common-wealth there was few or no beggars at all poore people whom God lightly blesseth with most children did by meanes of this occupation so order them that by the time that they were come to be sixe or seauen yeares of age they were able to get their owne bread Idlenesse was then banished our coast so that it was a rare thing to heare of a thiefe in those dayes Therefore it was not without cause that Clothiers were then both honoured and loued among whom these nine persons in this Kings dayes were of great credit viz. Thomas Cole of Reading Gray of Gloucester Sutton of Salisburie Fitzallen of Worcester commonly called William of Worcester â—om Doue of Exceter and Simon of South hampton alias Sup-broath who were by the King called The â—ixe worthy husbands of the West Then were there three liuing in the North that is to say Cutbert of Kendall Hodgekins of Hallifax and Martin Byram of Manchester Euery one of these kept a great number of seruants at worke spinners carders weauers fullers diars shéeremen and rowers to the great admiration of all those that came into their houses to behold them Now you shall vnderstand these gallant Clothiers by reason of their dwelling places seperated themselues in thrée seuerall companies Gray of Gloucester William of Worcester and Thomas of Reading because their iorny to London was all one way they conuerced commonly together And Doue of Exceter Sutton of Salisburie and Simon of South-hampton they in like sort kept company the one with the other meeting euer altogether at Bazingstoke and the â—ji northerne Clothiers did the like who commonly did not meet till they came to Bosoms Inne in London Moreouer for the loue and delight that these westerne men had each in others company they did so prouide that their waines and themselues would euer méete vpon one day in London at Iarrats hall surnamed the Gyant for that he surpassed all other men of that age both in stature strength whose meriments and memorable déedes I will set downe unto you in this following discourse How King Henry sought the sauour of all his subiects especially of the Clothiers Chap. 1. THis King Henry who for his great learning and wisedome was called Beauclarke being the third son to the renowned Conqueror after the death of his brother William Rufus tooke vpon him the gouernment of this land in the absence of his second brother Robert Duke of Normandy who at this time was at warres against the Infidels and was chosen King of Ierusalem the which he for the loue he bare to his owne country refused and with great honour returned from the holy Land of whose comming when King Henry vnderstood knowing he would make clayme to the crowne sought by all meanes possible to winne the good-will of his Nobility to get the fauor of the Commons by curtesie for the obtaining whereof hee did them many fauours thereby the better to strengthen himselfe against his brother It chaunced on a time as he with one of his sonnes and diuers of his Nobilitie rode from London towards Wales to appease the fury of the Welshmen which then began to raise themselues in armes against his authority that he met with a great number of Waineâ— loaden with cloth comming to London and séeing them still driue on one after another so many together demaunded whose they were the Waine-men answered in this sort Coles of Reading quoth they Then by and by the King asked an other saying Whose cloth is all this Old Coles quoth he and againe anone after he asked the same question to other and still they answered Old Coles And it is to be remembred that the King met them in such a place so narrow and streight that he with all the rest of his traine were faine to stand vp close to the hedge whilest the carts passed by the which at that time being in number aboue two hundred was néere hand an houre ere the King could get roome to be gone so that by his long stay he beganne to be displeased although the admiration of that sight did much qualifie his furiâ— but breaking out in discontent by reason of his stay he â—â—d hee thought olde Cole had got a Commission for all the carâ—s in the Countrey to carry his cloth And how if he haue quoth one of the Wainemen dooth that grieue you good sir Yea good sir said our King what say you to that The fellow séeing the king in asking that question to bend his browes though he knew not what he was yet being abasht he answered thus Why sir if you be angry no body can hinder you for possible sir you haue Anger at commandement The king séeing him in vttering of his words to quiuer and quake laughed heartily at him as well in respect of his simple answere as at his feare and so soone after the last waine went by which gaue present passage vnto him and his Nobles and thereupon entring into communication of the commoditie of clothing the king gaue order at his home returne to haue Old Cole brought before his Maiestie to the intent he might haue conference with him noting him to be a subiect of great ability But by that time he came within a mile of Stanes he met an other company of waines in like sort laden with cloth whereby the King was driuen into a further admiration and demanding whose they were answer was made in this sort They be goodman Suttons of Salisbury good sir and by that time a score of them were past he asked againe saying whose are these Suttons of Salisbury quoth they and so still as often as the King askes that question they answerd Suttons of Salisbury God send me many such Suttons said the king And thus the farther hee trauelled westward more waines and more he met continually vpon which
vnderstood that Gray did neuer eate his meate alone but still had some of his neighbors with him before whom he called his mayd saying Margaret come hither Now because there was another of the same name in the house she made answers I callnot you maiden quoth he but Margaret with the lilly white hand After which time she was euer called so How the Kings maiestie sent for the Clothiers and of the sundry fauours which he did them Chap. 4. KIng Henry prouiding for his voyage into France against King Lewis and Robert Duke of Normandy his owne brother commited the gouernement of the Realme in his absence to the Bishop of Salisbury a man of great wisdome and learning whom the King estéemed highly and afterward he thought good to send for the chiefe Clothiers of England who according to the kings appoyntment came to the court and hauing licence to come before his Maiesty hee spake to this effect The strength of a king is the loue and friendship of his people and he gouerns ouer his Realme most surely that ruleth iustice with mercy for hee ought to feare many whom many do feare therefore the gouernours of the common wealth ought to obserue two speciall precepts the one is that they so maintayne the profit of the commons that whatsoeuer in their calling they do they referre it thereunto the other that they bee alwayes as well carefull ouer the whole common weaâ—th as ouer any part thereof lest while they vpholde the one the other be brought to vtter decay And for as much as I doe vnderstand and haue partly seene that you the Clothiers of England are no small benefit to the wealth publike I thought it good to know from your owne mouths if there be any thing not yet graunted that may benefit you or any other thing to be remoued that doth hurt you The great desire I haue to maintayne you in your trades hath moued me hereunto Therefore boldly say what you would haue in the one thing or the other I wlil grant it you With that they all fell downe vpon their knees and desired God to saue his Maiesty and with all requested three dayes respit to put in their answere which was graunted And thereupon they departed When the Clothiers had well considered of these matters at length they thought méete to request of his Maiesty for their first benefit that all the Cloth measures through the land might be of one length whereas to their great disaduantage before euery good towne had a seuerall measure the difficulty thereof was such that they could not kéepe them in memory nor know how to keepe their reckonings The second thing whereof they found themselues greeued was this that the people would not take crackt money though it were neuer so good siluer whereupon it came to passe that the Clothiers and diuers other receiuing great summes of money to take among it much crackt money it serued them to no vse because it would not go currant but lay vpon their hands without profite or benefit whereof they prayed reformation The third was a griefe whereof Hodgekins of Halyfax complayned and that was that whereas the towne of Halyfax liued altogether vpon clothing and by the reason of false borderers other euill minded persons they were oft robbed and had their clothes carried out of their fieldes where they were drying that it would please his Maiesty to grant the towne this priuiledge that whosoeuer hee was that was taken stealing their cloth might presently without any further triall be hanged vp When the day of their appearance approached the Clothiers came before the King and deliuered vp their petition in writing which his Maiesty most graciously perusing sayd he was ready to fullfill their request and therefore for the first poynt of their petition he called for a staffe to be brought him and measuring thereupon the iust length of his owne arme deliuered it to the clothiers saying This measure shal be called a yard and no other measure thoughout all the Realme of England shall be vsed for the same and by this shall men buy and sell and we will so prouide that whosoeuer he be that abuseth our subiects by any false measure that he shall not onely pay a fine for the same to the king but also haue his body punnished by imprisonment And as concerning the second poynt of your petition because of my sudden departure out of the land I know not better how to ease you of this griefe of crackt money this decrée I make because they account crackt money not currant I say none shal be currant but crackt money And therefore I will giue present charge that all the money through the land shal be â—â—it and so you shall suffer no losse But now for your last request for the towne of Halyfax where by théeues your clothes are so often stolne from you séeing the lawes already prouided in that case are not sufficient to keepe men in awe it is indeed high time to haue sharper punishment for them With that Hodgekins vnmannerly interrupted the King saying in broad Northern spéech Yea gude faith mai Liedge the faule eule of mai saule gifâ— any thing will kéep them whiat till the karles be hangde vp by the cragge What the dulâ— care they for boaring their eyne sea lang as they may gae groping vp and downe the countrey like fause lizar lownes begging and craking The king smiling to heare this rough hewne fellow make this reply Content thee Hodgekins for we wil haue redresse for all and albeit that hanging of men was neuer séene in England yet seeing the corrupt world is growne more bold in all wickednes I thinke it not amisse to ordaine this death for such malefactors and peculiarly to the towne of Hallifaxe I giue this priuiledge that whosoeuer they find stealing their cloth being taken with the goods that without further iudgement they shal be hanged vp Thus sayd our king haue I graunted what you request and if heareafter you find any other thing that may be good for you it shall be granted for no longer would I desire to liue among you then I haue care for the good of the common-wealth at which word ended the King rose from his royall throne while the clothiers on their knées prayed for both his health and happy successe and shewed themselues most thankfull for his highnesse fauor His maiesty bending his body toward them sayd that at his home returne he would by the grace of God visit them How the Clothiers had prouided a sumptuous feast for the Kings sonues prince William and prince Richard at Gerâ—ards hall shewing also what chaunce befell Cutbert of Kendall at that same instant Chap. 5. THe Clothiers departing from the court in a merry minde ioyfull of their good successe each one to other praised and magnified the Kings great wisedome and vertue commending also his affabilitie and gentle disposition so that Hodgekins affirmed on his faith that
her husband came not home sent one of her men on horse-backe to sée if he could méet him and if quoth she you méet him not betwixt this and Colebrooke aske for him at the Crane but if you find him not there then ride to London for I doubt he is either sicke or else some mischance hath fallen vnto him The fellow did so and asking for him at Colebrooke they answered he went homeward from thence such a day The seruant musing what should be become of his master and making much inquiry in the towne for him at length one tolde him of a horâ—e that was found on the high way and no man knew whâ—nce he came He going to sée the horse knew him presently and to the Crane he goes with him The hoast of the house perceiuing this was blanke and that night fled secretly away The fellow going vnto the Iustice desired his help presently after word was brought that Iarman of the Crane was gone then all man said he had surely made Cole away and the musitions told what Iarman said to them wheÌ„ they would haue giuen Cole musicke Then the woman being apprehended examined confessed the truth Iarman soone after was taken in Winsor forest He and his wife were both hangd after they had laid open al these things before expressed Also he confessed that he being a carpenter made that false falling floore and how his wife deuised it And how they had murdred by that means lx persons And yet notwithstanding all the money which they had gotten thereby they prospered not but at their death were found very farre in debt When the king heard of this murder he was for the space of vij dayes so sorrowfull and heauy as he would not heare any suite giuing also commaundement that the house should quite be consumed with fire wherein Cole was murdred and that no man should euer build vpon that cursed ground Coles substance at his death was excéeding great he had daily in his house an hundred men seruants and xl maids he maintaind beside aboue two or three hundred people spinners and carders and a great many other housholders His wife after neuer married and at her death she bestowed a mightie summe of money toward the maintaining of the new builded monastery Her daughter was most richly married to a gentleman of great worship by whom shee had many children And some fay that the riuer whereinto Cole was cast did euer since carry the name of Cole being called The riuer of Cole and the towne of Colebrooke How diuers of the Clothiers wiues went to the churching of Suttons wife of Salisbury and of their meriments Cha. 12. SVttons wife of Salisbury which had lately bin delluered of a sonne against her going to Church prepared great theare at what time Suttons wife of South-hampton came thither and so did diuers other of the Clothiers wiues onely iâ— make merry at this Churching feast and whilest these Dames sate at the â—able Crab. VVeasell and Wren waited on the boord and as the old Prouerbe speaketh Many women many words so â—ellit out at that time for there was her wherein he requested that she would be ready to méete him in the forest betwixt Cardiffe and Gloucester The young Lady hauing secretly receiued his message vnknowne to her master or dame in a morning betime made her readye and got foorth walking to the appointed place where her loue should méete her During her aboad there and thinking long ere her lone came she entered into diuers passions which indéed presaged some disaster fortune to follow O my déere Loue sayd shée how slacke art thou in perfourming thy promise why doe not thy déeds agrée with thy inditing see these are thy words Come my deere Margaret and with Cupids swift wings flie to thy friend be now as nimble in thy footing as the Camels of Bractria that runne an hundred miles a day I will waite and stay for thee so I stay not too long There is no countrey like Austria for ambling horses to carry thee I haue got one O my Loue quoth she heere am I but where art thou O why doest thou play the trewant with Time who like the winde slides away vnseene An ambling gennet of Spaine is toe flow to serue our turnes A flying horse for flying Louers were most meete And thus casting many lookes through the Siluane shades vp and downe to espie him she thought euery minuse an houre till she might see him sometimes she would wish herselfe a bird that she might flye through the aire to meet him or a pretty squirell no clime the highest tree to discry his comming but finding her wishes vaine she began thus to excuse him and perswaded her selfe saying How much too blame am I to finde fault with my friend Alasse men that lacke their liberty must come when they can not when they would poore prisoners cannot doe what they desire and then why should I be so hasty Therefore if safely I may lay me downe I will beguile vnquiet thoughts with quiet sâ—eere it is sayd that Galino breedes no Serpents nor doth Englands forrests nourish Beares or Lions therefore without hurt I hope I may test a while Thus leauing fayre Margaret in a sweete slumber we will returne to Duke Robert who had thus plotted his escape from his keepers Hauing liberty of the King to hawke and hunt he determined on a day as he should folow the chase to leaue the hounds to the Hart and the hunters to their hornes and being busse in their sport himselfe would fly which he perfourmed at that is time when hee appointed Margaret to méete him and so comming to the place his Horse all in a water and himselfe in a sweate finding his Loue a sléepe he awaked her with a kisse saying Arise fayre Margaret now comes the time wherein thou shalt bée made a Quéene and presently setting her on horsebacke he posted away Now when the Keepers saw they had lost his company and that at the killing of the game he was not present they were among themselues in such a mutiny that they were ready one to stabbe another It was thy fault sayd one that he thus escapt from vs that had more minde of thy pleasure then of thy prisoner and by this meanes we are all vndone The other sayd as much to him that he had thought he had followed him in the chase but leauing at last this contention the one posted vp to the King while the others coasted vp and downe the countrey to search for the Duke who hauing kild his horse in traueling was most vnhappily met on foote with fayre Margaret ere he could come to any Towne where he might for money haue another But when he spyed his Kéepers come to take him he desired Margaret to make shiftfor her selfe and to seeke to escape them But she being of a contrary mind sayd she would liue and dye with him The Duke séeing himselfe ready to bée
surprised drew out his sword and sayd he would buy his liberty with his life before he would yeeld to be any more a prisoner and thereupon began a great fight betwixt them insomuch that the Duke had killed two of them but himselfe being â—ore wounded and faint with euermuch bleeding at length feâ—â— downe being not able any longer â—o stand and by this meanes the good Duke was taken with his fayre loue both of them cammitted to prison But in the meane space when Graies wife had mist her mayde and saw she was quite gone she made great lamentation for her among her neighbours for she loued her as dearely as any child that euer she bore of her owne body O Margaret quoth the what cause hadst thou thus to leaue mee if thou did it mislike of any thing why didst thou not tell me If thy wages were too little I would haue mended it If thy apparell had béene too simple thou shouldest haue had better If thy worke had beene too great I would haue had help for thée Farewell my sweete Meg the best seruant that euer came in any mans house many may I haue of thy name but neuer any of thy nature thy deligence is much in thy hands I laid the whole gouernment of my house and thereby eased my selfe of that care which now will â—umber me Heere she hath left mée my keies vnto my chests but my comfort is gone with her presence euery gentle word that shee was wont to speake comes now into my mind her courteous behauiour shall I neuer forget with how sweete and modest a countenance would shee qualifie my ouer-hasty nature It repents my haâ—t that euer I spoke foule word vnto her O Meg wert thou here againe I would neuer chide thee more but I was an vnworthy dame for such a seruant what will become of me now if I should chance to be sicke seeing shee is gone that was woont to be both my Apoticarie and Phisition Well quoth her neighbours there is no remedy now but to rest content you shall one day heare of her doubt you not and thinke this that shee was not so good but you may get another as good and therfore do not take it so heauily O neighbour blame me not to grieue seeing I haue lost so great a iewell and sure I am perswaded that scant in a bodies life time they shall meete with the like I protest I would circuit England round about on my bare feete to meete with her againe O my Meg was surely stole away from me else would she not haue gone in such sort Her husband on the other side grieued as much and rested not night nor day riding vp and downe to seeke her but shee poore soule is fast lockt vp in prison and therefore cannot be met withall But when the King vnderstood of his brotheâ—â— escape he was maruellous wrath giuing great charge and commandement when he was taken that both his â—ies should be put out and he kept in prison till his dying day appoynting also that the maid should lose her life for presumption in louing him This matter being rumored ouer all England it came to the eares of Gray and his wife who hearing that Margaret also was there in prison appointed to die the good aged woman neuer rested til she came to the court where knéeling before the King with many teares she besought his Maiesty to spare the maidens life saying Most royall king consider I humbly beséech you that the duke your brother was able to intice any woman to his loue much more a séely maiden especially promising her marriage to make her a Lady a Dutchesse or a Quéene who would refuse such an offer when at the instant they might get both a princely husband and a high dignitie if death be a Louers guerdon then what is due to hatred I am in my heart persuaded that had my poore Margaret thought it would haue bred your highnes displeasure she would neuer haue bought his loue so deare Had your Grace made it knowen to your commons that it was vnlawful for any to marry the duke your brother who would haue attempted such an action if she had wilfully disobeyed your Graces commandement she might haue bin thought worthy of death but séeing ignorantly she offended I beseech your Grace recall the sentence and let me still inioy my seruant for neuer will I rise till your Maiestie haue graunted my petition His Highnes who was of nature mercifull be holding the womans aboundant teares tooke pitty on her and graunted her suite which being obtained she went home with all haste possible And from thence she with her husband taking their iorny to Cardiffe castle they came at that very instant when the maiden was led toward hir death who went in most ioyfull sort to the same saying that they were not worthy to be accounted true Louers that were not willing to die for loue and so with a smiling countenance she passed on as if she had eaten Apium Riâ—us which causeth a man to die laughing but her dame Gray seeing her fell about her necke and with many kisses imbraced her saying Thou shalt not die my wench but goe home with me and for thy deliuerie behold heere the Kings letters and with that she deliuered them vp to the gouernor of the Castle who reading them found these words written We pardon the maids life and graunt her libertie but let her not passe till she see her louers â—ies put out which we wil haue you to do in such sort that not only the sight may perish but the eie continue faire for which cause I haue sent downe doctor Piero that he may execute the same The gouernour of the Castle hauing read the Kings letter said thus to the maiden The Kings maiesty hath pardoned thy life and allowed thy liberty but you must not passe before you see your louers eies put out O sir said the maiden mistake not your selfe they are my eies that must be put out and not the Dukes as his offence grew by my meanes so I being guiltie ought to receiue the punishment The kings commaundement must be fulfilled said the gouernor and therewithall D Robert was brought forth who hearing that he must lose his eies said thus the noble mind is neuer conquered by griefe nor ouercome by mischance but as the Hart reneweth his age by eating the serpent so doth a man lengthen his life with deuouring sorrow my eyes haue offended the King and they must be punished my heart is in as great fault why is not that killed The Kings maiesty said the gouernor spares your life of méere loue and onely is content to satisfie the Law with the losse of your eies wherefore take in good part this punishment and thinke you haue deserued greater than is granted With this Margaret cried out saying O my deare loue most gentle Prince well may you wish that I had neuer bin borne who by séeing of me